Poland: Jews Aren't Welcome

Nearly seven decades since the end of World War II, Poland is once again turning on its Jews.

In a stunning move last week, the lower house of the Polish parliament rejected a bill that would have restored the legality of shechita, or kosher slaughter, by a vote of 222 to 178.

After a Polish constitutional court had previously banned the practice in December, asserting that it violated the country's animal-rights legislation, the government in Warsaw sought to override the decision in the wake of worldwide criticism.

But 38 members of the ruling Civic Platform party voted against the government-sponsored bill, sending it -- and Poland itself -- down to an ignominious defeat.

You do not have to be a Holocaust scholar or student of modern European history to understand how bitterly ironic this turn of events is.

For a country in which 3 million Jews were murdered during the Nazi era to bar Jews from freely practicing their faith is a disgrace and an outrage.

Ever since the downfall of Communism two decades ago, Poland has striven to become a liberal Western democracy. But protecting the rights of minorities is one of the key barometers for determining the health of a free and democratic society. By this measure, Poland is clearly failing the test.

Ostensibly, its decision to prohibit shechita is a question of protecting animals from unnecessary suffering during the slaughtering process. But as anyone who has seen a Jewish ritual slaughterer meticulously check his knife to ensure it is completely smooth can attest, shechita is in fact precisely about minimizing, as much as possible, the pain caused to the animal.

Indeed, as Maimonides writes in the Guide for the Perplexed (Chapter 48), the Torah intended that the animal be killed in the gentlest way possible and prohibited us from causing it needless agony.

Over the years, there have been numerous scientific studies that have confirmed that shechita is humane.

As Dr. Stuart Rosen of the faculty of medicine of London's Imperial College has written concerning shechita, "The speed and precision of the incision ensures the lack of stimulation of the severed structures and results in the immediate loss of consciousness."

"Irreversible cessation of consciousness," he continued, "and insensibility to pain are achieved, providing the most effective stun. There is no delay between the shechita stun and subsequent death so the animal cannot regain consciousness, as can happen with conventional slaughter methods."

Other experts, such as Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and a world-renowned authority on designing livestock handling facilities, have also concluded that shechita is at least as humane as other conventional procedures used to slaughter animals.

It is nothing less than an assault on an ancient practice that is central to Jewish communal life.

It is therefore hard to escape the feeling that what truly motivates the opponents of shechita is perhaps sheer anti-Semitism.

After all, to declare shechita inhumane is by extension an allegation that Jews are gratuitously cruel. It is nothing less than an assault on an ancient practice that is central to Jewish communal life, one that sends a message loud and clear: Jews are not wanted here.

In an interview with a Polish radio station, Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich condemned the parliament's decision, going so far as to threaten to resign over the matter.

"I cannot image how I am to continue as chief rabbi in a country where the rights of Jews are not complete," he said. "Ritual slaughter," he noted, "has been demonized in this country, when, in fact, it is not as brutal as it is being presented."

Sadly, by placing the rights of cattle before those of Jews, Poland has managed to undo more than two decades of efforts to repair its ties with the Jewish people. The Poles have shown they can be astonishingly insensitive to the Jews who live in their midst, and equally callous toward the demands of civil liberties and constitutional freedoms.

In a letter of protest to his Polish counterpart, Israeli Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein wrote, "I see it as a moral obligation of the Polish people and the parliament in Poland to change this unacceptable decision, a decision that makes Poland the first EU country to forbid kosher slaughter on its soil."

"I hope," he concluded, "that this troubling and threatening law is removed from the Polish law books at the first opportunity."

We too must raise our voices loud and clear against this outrageous decision. Call or write to the Polish embassy or consulate nearest you, and tell them what you think of the fact that they are trampling on the rights of Jews.

Remind them politely but firmly that after their behavior during the Holocaust, Poles are in no position to preach to us about morality or decency.

It shouldn't have come to this, but as obvious as it is, it bears repeating: for a country that afflicted its Jews so heartlessly in the recent past, Poland has a special responsibility to make up for its transgressions.

And a good place for them to start would be to rescind the ban on shechita forthwith.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

The writer served as deputy communications director in the Prime Minister’s Office under former premier Binyamin Netanyahu. He is the founder and Chairman of Shavei Israel (www.shavei.org), a Jerusalem-based group that facilitates the return of the Bnei Menashe and other “lost Jews” to the Jewish people.

Visitor Comments: 124

(65)
Dora,
May 28, 2015 3:02 AM

question

What does it mean 'For a country in which 3 million Jews were murdered during the Nazi era to bar Jews from freely practicing their faith is a disgrace and an outrage." Did POLAND murder the Jews? What are you implying? Stop this insinuations against the historical truth. But maybe I am misunderstanding your sentence. Please explain yourself.

(64)
rachel,
August 11, 2014 3:07 AM

Well hitler certainly didn't care whether Jews made noise or not, Most Jews were assimilated to German culture and yet Hitler (may his name be erased). killed every single Jew he got his hands on, so whether Jews speak up or not it doesnt matter, Its the fact that we are Jews is what bothers the non Jews so very much, it says in the Torah Esav hates Yakov, so no matter what we will do we will always be hated, its in their Genes, and it been proven through out our history. Jews should stick up for themselves and not be bullied.

(63)
former genevoise,
October 28, 2013 2:06 AM

SWITZERLAND IS JUST AS GUILTY

In Switzerland it is also forbidden to do Shechita. When the community some yrs ago,asked to please revise this law made a long time ago when antisemitism was rampant, the government's response was :"be quiet, or else we will also not let you bring kosher meat from abroad". Jews in Geneva must pay high taxes to import it,(about $20.00 a kilo price of the meat) or, drive to France (15 min drive) and bring half a kilo per person. Most of us simply smuggled it! we drove from one frontier to another until we found one empty of police. ..Quite degrading.... Also, did you know, in Switzerland it is also forbidden to bury the dead the Jewish way? the cemetery's entrance is in Geneva, and the land is in French territory. bottom line, Europe hasn't learned a thing about the consequences of hate. !!

(62)
S.Levy,
September 23, 2013 10:09 PM

Antisemitic Europe

It´s simple: Europe has ALWAYS been latently, subconsciously and rabidly anti-semitic and now its governments bend over to the Nazislamic Arabs´demands. Europe is managing to create a new Exodus and replacing Jews (who they think are domineering) with primitive, barbarian cavemen calling themselves Allah´s People, with a difference, Jews NEVER oblige anyone to convert nor kill for not doing so, Arabs tell you ..."either convert or you´re dead..." AND PUT THIS TO PRACTICE. So, let Syria and the Arab countries war at and kill each other, better this way than us having to bear the expenses of these assassinations, rapes, arson, terrorism - and let Europe find out the hard truth.

san,
September 25, 2013 4:16 PM

sad

Like much of europe, Poland seems poised to accomodate people(arabs) who are much more semetic and abrasive than Europes Jews ever were. The influence of arabs migration in a country like Poland will do irreparable damage to its gene pool and social structure. In short muslims are well educated about how 'easy' it is to move to and have children in Europe. Wake up and stop the invasion please.

(61)
Anonymous,
August 19, 2013 2:30 AM

Leave It To Freund to turn the latest anti-religious-in-general dogma into the next incarnation of the Nuremberg Laws.

Tony Jacobs,
September 11, 2013 7:51 AM

Ignore it and it will go away.

Just ignore the Jew haters and they'll go away, just like in the 1930s. Jews shouldn't fight back, we are small and weak and will only attract more negative attention. By standing up for our rights, the majority will hate us more for causing a commotion. They'll think we are pushy and brash and will discriminate against us even more. We have to sacrifice a few to the mob, so the rest of us can survive unnoticed.
The above loathsome comments are a caricature of the 19th century stereotypical Jew. It implies that most non Jews are hate filled bigots and justice is not worth fighting for. The reverse is true. Wherever ANY human being has the courage to stand up for truth and justice, they will always find support from the vast majority of humanity.

(60)
Steve,
August 4, 2013 10:32 PM

Attitude on Polish People in the USA

I wouldn't get worked up over the attitude of the Polish people. Their image is pretty much downtrodden in both the USA and Germany. For example, the Polish jokes which aggravates them so much.

Mir,
September 29, 2013 9:38 PM

Not just the Polish...

If we weren't dealing with a resurgence of overt and politically sanctioned antisemitism in Europe, one country might be considered an anomaly, regardless of their perceived reputation elsewhere (which I understand as the result of western european prejudice against eastern europeans in general), but this is just another symptom of the illness moving to more serious stages...

(59)
Anonymous,
August 3, 2013 8:01 AM

prejudice

I have been thinking about this , and other form of prejudices and feel that for some reason even after all this technological advancement, there is still the mentality of the dark ages & witch hunting mentality lurking in certain people's psyche. A very primitive , even superstitious and ignorant form of hatred and paranoia which is in the subconscious. Most people aren't even aware of it themselves, that is why it is difficult to get rid of anti-antisemitism, and other form of prejudices. - and I say this as a concerned gentile.

(58)
Ja Ciprys,
August 1, 2013 5:03 PM

anti-Semitism inEurope

I di work with Poles and I can say that not all Poses are anti-Semites bud more then 90 percent of them are.They inheritingthis from past generations.Main reason is their Catholitism whatis different from American Christianity.Same is in the all Europe.I know that .I lived in Czechoslovakia.There in no goodplace in Europe for Jewish people live in.Parliament decision isreflection of society wherever they live .They are anti-Semites because of Christianity and modern /Greek/ secular culture.There is no hope for Europe and no hope and no future for Jewish people in Europe.In

(57)
Koper,
July 31, 2013 9:39 AM

Listen you live in Poland not Israel You have to adapt to the country you live in. This is not antisemitic.

(56)
Victor dePicciotto,
July 27, 2013 10:29 PM

Some things never change.

Two books in the last few years have detailed Jewish harassment in Poland before the smoke had cleared from the fires of World War II. AntiSemitism always was, is and will be.

(55)
Erin M,
July 27, 2013 3:40 AM

You give people no credit and it is as if you want them to never do the right thing. This is not something that is rampant anti-semitism:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170143

(54)
mordi,
July 25, 2013 5:00 AM

Poles and Jews

By and large Poles are antisemitic. No different than their German friends in particular, plus Austrians, Hungarians, Islamists the EU the UN, and the list goes on. The Jews have only themselves to blame by living in the shadows of death. The trip to Auschwitz is a tourist attraction. Get a few documentaries and a book or two and you are right there. Visiting Auschwitz gives it the allure of one of the 7 wonders of the world. It isn't. If you have no imagination, then by all means go there. Read Maus iand Maus ii by Art Spiegelman. They are cartoon style of the brutality of the Holocaust. Read then 3 times each. The German's are designated as Fat cats, the Poles as pigs and the Jews as rats. The Germans and Poles were in the death camp business together. You don't need Auschwitz. Turn the page. Learn how to strike back. Jews face antisemitism in most of the modern world.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 9:23 PM

Next ignorant person

You know very little about history if you say that Germans and Poles worked together. Poland never collaborated with Nazis. During WW2 3 milions Poles and 3 Jews died. You can equally well say that Polan collaborated with Nazi Germans to kill its own citizens. Incredible nonsense.

Margaret,
July 26, 2013 8:03 PM

absolution for Germany?

I am concerned that fewer and fewer articles about the Holocaust make mention of Germany. This is a clear attempt to rewrite history.

Anonymous,
July 27, 2013 10:49 PM

I know this is an extremely sensitive subject,and understandably so,but are Germans never to be allowed to atone for the sins of their grandfathers? Any German under 68 years was not even born during the terrible years of the National Socialists. Germany is totally mortified by her history,little children are made to watch news reel that little children shouldn't see. I have a great respect and affection for Israel and her people and I know how terribly they have been wounded by the past,and the present to a large extent ,but one day Germany and her people must be allowed to be forgiven.

Anonymous,
July 29, 2013 12:05 PM

You aren't well read on the subject.

Every biography puts the blame on Germany, but the Jews suffered from the antisemitism of the Poles, Ukrainians, cossacks, Stalin, and the Roman Catholic Church in Czekoslavakia.

Victor dePicciotto,
July 27, 2013 10:35 PM

Who betrayed whom?

Yes, millions of others besides Jews died in the war, but how many of those victims were turned in to the Nazis by Jews?

Erin M,
July 29, 2013 12:50 AM

who helped whom

Victor, before Germany erected death camps on foreign soil and proclaimed Slavs, Romany, and Jews to be "untermenschen," the majority of the world's Jews lived in Poland.
When over 2 million --TWO MILLION-- gentile Polish civilians were butchered in camps by Germans, where were their Jewish neighbors?
You mock the thousands of Yad v'Shem's Polish righteous among the nations as being not enough, but how many Jews saved their over TWO MILLION gentile "neighbors" as they were slaughtered?
Many Polish Jewish communities couldn't even be bothered to learn the Polish language before WWII.
Or is over two million gentile victims of genocide not impressive to you....

Anonymous,
July 27, 2013 10:49 PM

Do you viw motions picture?

You know very little about anything. The film "Shoah" should learn you something on the subject. And find some books about pogroms in Poland in the spring of 1945. Not anit-Semitic indeed, Anon.

ERA,
July 28, 2013 9:19 PM

Poles DID collaborate!!

You are the one who needs to brush up on history. The Poles absolutely did collaborate with the Germans to kill Jews. How else do you think the Germans found the Jews in Poland??? The Poles joyously danced to point out the Jews' houses, and gleefully lent a hand when the slaughtering began. And by the way, Germans killed Germans too, so why shouldn't Poles kill Poles?

Bee,
July 29, 2013 11:56 AM

Poland was split on "the final solution"

There were some righteous Poles and there were many more Poles who couldn't wait to collect the homes and belongings of the Jews for themselves. They fought for themselves and not for the sake of blocking the final solution.

j,
July 30, 2013 1:38 AM

WW2 3 milions Poles and 3 Jews died.

3 jews died ?
btw Pole , why didn't you address the topic

(53)
mark,
July 24, 2013 10:06 PM

Jews living in Poland

What a ridiculous article. Is there really Jews who want to live in Poland. 70 years ago Poles and Germans murdering whole Jewish family in the towns they lived in for centuries; looting their house; destroying Torah scrolls and burning Jewish books. Do you really want to live in Poland again and practice Kosher ritual slaughter. Is this some kind of joke. Ok so the Polish government banned kosher ritual slaughtering. Really they are doing the Jews a favor.

Anonymous,
July 27, 2013 10:41 PM

Now that's modern thought.

With your logic, the more than 35 million African Americans should move back to their homelands, Israel should close up shop and go elsewhere and yu should and hide everytime someone shows displeasure with you. Crush the opressor! There is nowhere to hide.

(52)
AARON BEN EZRA,
July 24, 2013 8:29 PM

THIS IS A MATTER THAT THE CHIEF RABBI OF POLAND SHOULD TAKE TO THE POLISH SUPREME COURT, IF THERE IS ONE, AND/OR THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN BRUSSELS.

This Polish decision is clearly an human rights violation. It may also be a violation of the right of a cow to humane slaughter. The human right and the animal right exist together by the same law and practice of kosher slaughter. It would set an important worldwide precedent, were the ICJ to rule against this present Polish abomination.

derp,
September 13, 2013 11:49 AM

LoL

How is it a human rights violation? Poland isn't Israel, they don't have to do what you want.

(51)
Jeanne,
July 24, 2013 6:34 PM

Your misinformation about the Polish people.

You need to check out your history on Wikipedia about the Jews in Poland. I did and check on the history of the Jewish people living in Poland before and after the WWII. I am tired of the Poles getting a bad reputation because of the WWII. After you read this history of Poland and how Poland gave the Jews a place of sanctuary then rewrite your article. Yes not ALL of the Poles helped the Nazis. In fact very few once you check your references. Check Wikipedia on 'history of the Jews in Poland' You and others might just change your mind. I had relatives in the concentration camps and I am sure they did not help the Nazis that's why they were there. There is anti-semitism to go around for every country lately and not just Poland. Sorry this has to happen again anywhere in the world. This shows how ignorant humanity is and was. I do not adhere to this thinking and I would hope that Aish doesn't as well. Get your facts straight before you write your article. Isn't there enough misinformation out there in the liberal media? If you want to blame someone, blame all humanity not just focus on the Poles.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 2:44 PM

Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source

Jeanne, FYI: Generally speaking, Wikipedia is not a reliable source for factual information. The information on Wikipedia can be entered and edited by pretty much anyone. So before you start telling anyone to check their facts, maybe you should check yours from a more reliable source. Just saying.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 6:27 PM

Wikipedia agreement

Agreeing with above. Use reliable sources.

William,
July 26, 2013 3:46 AM

Please get YOUR facts straight.

Jeanne,
If you expect to be taken seriously please do real research. Wikipedia is not authoritative.
There is an old Yiddish expression: "scratch a Pole and you'll find an anti-Semite. Sadly, there is much in Polish history to support that. Even into the post WWII era at least some Polish priests were asserting the "blood libel" that Jews use the blood of Christian children in preparing Passover matzoh.
Yes, there were some Christian Poles who saved Jews during the Holocaust, and they are commemorated in Israel as righteous. It is equally and sadly also true that there were far more than a few Christian Poles who not only turned their Jewish neighbors in to the Germans but also gladly participated in their slaughter. Do, please, read Art Spiegelman's truthful Maus, both volumes.

Chava,
July 27, 2013 2:25 PM

Wikipedia?????

You reference Wikipedia to learn about the history of poles, and Jews? Is this a joke? Learn Jewish history from credible sources. Poles were just as barbaric and evil as their Nazi counterparts. I'm sure there were decent people as well. Poland had a LONG history of antisemitism and pogroms before WWII, so perhaps you should learn a bit more.

Yury,
July 27, 2013 3:14 PM

At least for the discust topic Wikipedia is very bad source for refernce

To get a serious knowledge Wikipedia is the last source of info.especially in the question of the history of jews in Poland.

(50)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 4:11 PM

Why be angry with the Poles ??

Leaving aside the hypocracy, and past barbarism of the Poles, why can you just not accept that it is their country? They have the right to decide what should be done there. G-d gave Poland to the Poles. To the Jewish people G-d gave another country called Israel. In the past the Jews did not have a country to go to, and were at the mercy of gentiles, but now they have their ancestral home. I cannot imagine why a Jew would PREFER to live in a gloomy country with freezing temperatures rather than living in Israel's mild climate. Why would a Jew prefer to live in Gdansk rather than in Haifa, Tiberias or Eilat ? I think that the Jew who prefers to live closer to Auschwitz than the Holy Kotel has a serious problem. A Jews who prefers to live among hostile POles rather than among other Jewish people, deserves to face the schechita ban. Now if the Jews had no country to go to, it would be understandable that they would feel upset, but having their own beautiful country where they can live in peace as a Jews, it is laughable or even tragic. The Poles banned schechita ??? stop whining. This incident has HaShem's finger prints on it. He is giving you a message: go to home to Eretz Yisroel ..... you didn't listen so His voice before so it got louder and He banned the schechita in Poland to force you to go home. "If I forget thee Oh Jerusalem let my right hand forget its cunning" now you have a chance to be in Jerusalem and you still prefer to freeze to death in gloomy east Europe?

Miriam,
July 25, 2013 3:22 PM

@ anonymous poster above my comment

I think I love you. Thank you for having the courage to speak the truth.

(49)
Louis,
July 24, 2013 1:33 PM

please leave Poland

Sometimes the Creator uses the actions of others to teach us. I think it is time too leave poland and make Aliya to Israel. As it is written:"come out of her my people"

(48)
Philip,
July 24, 2013 6:09 AM

Poles concerned about cruelty to animals

Is the Poles were not so savage, this would be laughable. Where was the concern of all these righteous Polish people and their ancestors when all of Poland's Jews were being murdered? After the war, when Polish Jews return to their villages to look for their family and friends if any were surviving, the local Poles murdered them! The poles were worse than the German Nazis!

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 11:11 AM

So how does that work?

Anything they want to change now will be mocked with a "but look at your past?" And all that because of the few remaining 90 years olds? Do you suggest that they just carry on the way they did and not try to improve themselves? You'd complain about that too.

(47)
Rachel Sussman,
July 24, 2013 6:01 AM

I do not agree with your judgement. It is time we grow out of judging everything in the light of anti-Semitism. I am Jewish and an animal right protector. For many years I was led to believe that Kosher meat meant that animals were treated with untmost mercy during the 'slaughter'. I was shocked to find how wrong I was when I received videos about what happens in some slaughter houses in Israel, I could not stop crying, it made me sick, sad and deeply ashamed to be human, to be Jewish. Kosher suddenly was no longer Kosher. This is not to say that in non-Kosher slaughter houses all is Kosher, far from it, nevertheless Jewish authorities must take responsibility for animals welfare for they too are God's creation, they feel and they have value and rights. Animals have no voice but us, I am glad the Polish government takes a stand but I hope it takes this stand also for its local slaughter houses.

anon,
July 24, 2013 8:28 PM

studies mentioned in this article

so, the studies mentioned in the article above about scheeta being humane were run by stooges?

Tova Saul,
July 25, 2013 4:22 AM

well said!

Comments like yours are a breath of fresh air.

Juney Shapira,
July 25, 2013 11:25 AM

Absolutely

I totally agree that we shouldn't scream "anti-semitism" as soon as there is something we don't like. I am more than fed up with the victim label.
As far as I'm concerned, way more studies are necessary to be able to judge which is the "best" way to slaughter an animal.
I also believe that if the slaughter is done on a small scale then it probably is more humane as it was on the (non-Jewish) farm I worked on. Anything done on a large scale is going to be done less precisely.

(46)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 5:56 AM

GET OUT OF POLAND!!

What are you doing living in that country? wasn't Has-hem clear enuf? Get out of there!

(45)
Erin M,
July 24, 2013 5:36 AM

unbelievable

This is not the first time that an erroneous and sensational article was posted by Aish regarding Poland. I am a Polish-American and I would expect more accuracy from you.
Firstly, what exactly do you think happened in Poland "70 years ago"? It's so ominously referred to, but I think several posters and the author of this article are grossly misinformed, unacceptably so. The NSDAP considered Romany, Slavs, and Jews to all three be "subhuman," based on genetics alone--not nationality, politics, or religion. A simple internet search could have revealed that to you. "70 years ago," 6 million civilians were murdered in Poland by Germans in German-erected camps. Three million were Jewish. The Polish Jew : Polish Slav casualty ratio was 1:1. Any individuals who assisted w/ the barbarism carried out by the occupying forces against 3 million gentile citizens and another 3 million Jewish citizens, were in the definite minority. Let us not even bring up the issue of Judenrats.
Poland was the only country in occupied Europe were assisting Jews was punishable by death from Germans. Yet amazingly, the majority of the "righteous of the nations" came directly from Poland.
Today's Polish legislature will ban the kosher ritual slaughter in industrial settings, but private kosher slaughter--as well as import of kosher meat-- will still be allowed.
If you seek to prove to modern authorities that kosher slaughter is not animal cruelty, please do. To simply demand it and falsely demonize an entire people with hateful accusations is unacceptable. I expected more from Aish.

(44)
jacko,
July 24, 2013 5:26 AM

shechita

shechita is banned but killing wild animals for pleasure (to the hunter) by hunting is perfectly repectable . What hypocrisy.

(43)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 3:28 AM

letting go of the remnants of Mitzrayim

Whatever reasons Poles might have for their decision to ban ritual shechita, it is an opportune time - as we are coming much closer to the times of Mashiach, to reflect whether it is appropriate at all for Jews to slaughter, no matter how humane the method appears to be. To practice true "tzaar balei chayim". Perhaps it's time to let go of "fleshpots of Egypt", let go of the longing for a quail dish and start seriously considering directing our diets toward "manna" that fed us for forty years of desert wanderings.

In the portion of this week Eikev, 8:3 we are reminded of the manna that "neither you nor your ancestors have ever know" which was brought to teach us that a human being does not live on bread alone,but that one can live on anything that Adonai decrees. If the sources that I have accessed are correct, Rabbi Kook believed that we will let go of meat consumption one day. So did many other prominent Jews.

Perhaps Hashem is sending us a message via the Polish government's decision: " In our times it's not enough to be different by using different slaughter methods. It's time to be different by refraining from slaughtering all together." Perhaps it is a call to manifest a higher level of Manchlichkeit.

Something to think about.

(42)
Fred,
July 24, 2013 2:49 AM

Jews in Poland???

No surprise Eastern Europe has continued its hatred of the Jews after the Stalin & the NAZI 's.

Anonymous,
September 13, 2013 11:51 AM

hur

Then why do you want to be there? Jews aren't welcome in Poland? Well, I wouldn't go there to live then. Whites aren't welcome in Jamaica... Guess where I don't live?

(41)
Mary,
July 23, 2013 10:30 PM

outragious decision

The decision of the Parliment in Poland to outlaw the ritual

slaughter of cattle is an outrage in a country guilty of so many outrages in the past. They are putting the rights of cattle before the rights of people to practice their spritual beliefs.

Zbyszek,
July 25, 2013 11:39 PM

Where is the east and where is the West

Mary, Stalin was from the East (Georgia or Russia) and Hitler was from the West (Germany or born in Austria). The country between is Poland so don't get confused about geography and blaming everybody in the process. Stop using word anti-Semitism to get lollies because you deserved by being Jew like colour people scream racism every time. For the record, white is colour too. So we don't need to be politically correct all the time so the screamers can get what they want. Polish government is not going to run own country by checking on everything with Israel. Israel have embassy in Warsaw which should keep a tap what is going on and intervene at the proper times and manner using diplomatic channels. Screaming anti-Semitism every time is already lost appeal and stopped working like it used to be. It’s time to grow up and start to behave like an adult.

(40)
Beverly Kurtin,
July 23, 2013 10:26 PM

Mixed feelings

My maternal grandmother was from Poland; she left after a pogrom wiped out her entire family. There are still Poles who loath Jews and everything about us. Then again, there were Poles who put their lives at risk for hiding Jews from the Nazis.

However, Poland, as a rule, poked the Apple of Hashem's eye (Deut. 32:10, Zech. 2:8, et al) and when one does that, they pay for it.

I have seen modern Polish horse-drawn wagons, with automobile tires. WAGONS? In 2013. They lived under Communism for many years after the war. Don't screw with the pupil of Hashem's eye; if you do, live with the consequences.

(39)
ploni almoni,
July 23, 2013 10:22 PM

POLAND AND JEWS

OF COURSE POLAND PROTECTS ANIMALS - IT'S ONLY THE SLAUGHTER OF JEWS THEY ALLOWED.

(38)
ruth housman,
July 23, 2013 10:04 PM

The treatment of animals

It's hard to read about animal slaughter of any kind. But it feels like anti semitism to me given what I have learned, which is that our koshering procedures are as humane as possible. I accept Temple's position. When I am blocked by any pole in an audience, I cannot help thinking about the terrible cruelty of the Polish people toward Jews and this feels like not so covert anti-semitism.

(37)
Zbyszek,
July 23, 2013 9:58 PM

Ritual animal killing is also about Halal

First time in my life I can see Jewish people silently supporting halal killing. Obviously when is come to food, we are all friends. This article selfish and speculative based on semi truths. Decision made by Polish Parliament was about ritual animal killing. Check this video before making a comment. If you like it, debate it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W0gFoP6gY0A

AARON BEN EZRA,
July 24, 2013 8:38 PM

HALAL SLAUGHTER IS NOT THE SAME AS KOSHER SLAUGHTER.

The similarity begins and ends with the use of a knife. There are differences in the type of knife, action of the knife, and posture of the animal. That said, there may still be the legal similarity of the right of unique religious practice in a so-called democratic socitety.

Zbyszek,
July 25, 2013 1:31 PM

Ritual slaughter

Polish parliament didn't distinguished between kosher or halal slaughter. They went against ritual killing. Where was Israeli ambassador before Polish Parliament make a final decision? Why he didn't submit anything for consideration. So for lay person halal or kosher is the same ritual killing. But take it easy. Blame it on Poles and anti-Semitism. I don;t think they even know what you are talking about because this subject is important for butchers and nobody else. I am sure if you want you can make a direct arrangement with a farmer but if not you can import kosher meat from any EU country or directly from Israel.

(36)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 9:12 PM

This is a very unfair article

This article mixes some truth with ugly lies. It tries to convey that Poland is responsible for Holocaust in the same way as it is responsible for prohibiting shechita. It is nonsense. Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany at that time and did not collaborated with Nazis at all. Moreover, this decision of the polish parliament does not have any connection with antisemitism. It just stupidity of polish deputies and political parties. Political situation in Poland is hard to understand for foreigners so please do not present Poles in such a bad way. It will not help. Simply, poles can be stupid but this article is even more stupid. I think that the Constitutional Tribunal will clarify the situation and restore the constitutional rights of the minorities in due time. It is the second time when I see an article that is very unfair to Poland.

Anonymous,
August 2, 2013 1:06 AM

WHAT?

The Poles did not collaborate with the Nazi? What book were you reading? Mother Goose and the Three Little Poles? Poles turned on their Jewish neighbors so they could take what their neighbors had. It is true that many Poles acted to protect their neighbors, but the vast majority of them wanted what the Jews had, regardless of how much or how little they had.
Now be a good boy or girl and go back into your coma, perhaps it will do you some good.

(35)
Sabus,
July 23, 2013 9:10 PM

Never Be Forgoten;

To jgarbuz, if you don't care Know that others cares. Holocoust is not a bad weekend party to forget and as to enjoy the next. We should trash issues with an inflicting virus to the social cultural, economical most of all the spiritual activities and events of the Jews. The Polish adopting into law banning a jewish ritual, I see no reason one throwing out a deffensive comment on them for instead of joining hands on pressing them to revers their mistake for thats what I think it is yet. Please people lets push on and never forget.

(34)
Daisy Harari mayer,
July 23, 2013 8:41 PM

Polish

Way still now Poland have Jewish there, I continue to tell my theory, that when countries kill or send out there Jewish so they loose all the kavot, the kokma. from us.So wy we continue to be in Europe. Portugal, is now beguining to want again to have Jewish after 500 years. So lets live Europe arabe countries.

(33)
Allan,
July 23, 2013 8:33 PM

Kosher killing

Where were most of the concentration camps kept? Poland.Where did the Warsaw Ghetto uprising happen? Poland.Where were millions of Jew killed among a knowing populace?Poland. Jews were discouraged in returning to their homes in what European country? Poland. True they are fed from the milk of their anti-Semitic mothers. Look for more.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 9:18 PM

STOP this ignorance

No words... no words... That is because most european Jewry lived in Poland during WW2 !!! So it is quite obvious why Nazi Germany chose Poland to build their extermination camps. I am very sad when reading all those comments. I thought that most Jews are very intelligent people. I am really disappointed. Yes, Poles were not ideal but please have a perspective. Many of my ancestors were victims of Nazi Germans too - 3 milion Poles died together with 3 milion Jews. There was no division between Jews and Poles before WW2. We coexisted peacufully and this is very great stupidity to say that Poland in any way helped to murder Jews. Equally well you can say that Poland helped to murder Poles!

(32)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 7:37 PM

Poland wasn't always good to Jews.

In fact, my grandfather z"l said to me the same thing as number 13 above. The Poles drank anti-Semitism in their mother's milk. He lived in Poland since he was born and until he left for good in 1927, never to return. Except for his family's events, he didn't recall having a happy moment otherwise. The history of the Jews in Poland shows that there were indeed some good moments, but for the most Jews had a difficult time in there. To be honest, I don't really understand why Jews would want to settle over there again, and for that matter, I also don't understand why they should settle in many European countries.The majority of their populations were only too happy to help the Nazis accomplish their objective.

(31)
chiphires,
July 23, 2013 7:37 PM

another reason to become vegetarian

So let everyone become vegetarian and take the issue off the table.

(30)
Robin,
July 23, 2013 7:16 PM

Jews in Poland

What are Jews doing in Poland in the first place? Jews don't belong in Poland, Germany, Holland, France, etc. Why would a Jew want to live in a country that hates them or at best, tolerates them? I will never understand this.

(29)
Rivka,
July 23, 2013 7:13 PM

Poland : Jews aren't welcome

it's not without a reason that my great=grandparents fled Poland.

the Bober family

Erin M.,
July 27, 2013 3:35 AM

so insular

Rivka, my great-grandparents fled Poland too, and they were all ethnically slavic. Do you know why? Because of the first German occupation during the 1880's.
If they would have stayed, I might not ever have been born as Germans butchered 3 million ethnically slavic gentiles in Poland during WWII.
I am really saddened by the erroneous perspectives in these comments. It smacks of people so wrapped up in their own affairs, they wouldn't be able to know what's going on around them in other people's lives--even if they wanted to.
Jewish communities in Poland lived for nearly 1000 there in more peace than in anywhere else in Europe. But the goal was also to be insular, and not bother studying those around them.
Just like the hundered of Jews in WWII who sought assistance from their gentile neighbors to risk their lives (the Germans would automatically kill Polish gentiles if they sensed any "collusion" with Polish Jews) and hide them, when oftentimes those Jewish neighbors couldn't even speak Polish(!) or have any semblance of knowing how to be one with their neighbors, to be able to blend in and hide.

(28)
Rob,
July 23, 2013 7:10 PM

Polish hypocrisy

Poland still allows hunting with crude weapons... guns and arrows, etc. How is that more humane than shechicta?

This is not about animal welfare. It is about anti-Semitism. Banning Hallal slaughter is a fringe benefit for the Poles.

(27)
Jong,
July 23, 2013 7:07 PM

Aish.com's anti-Poland policy

I frequent Aish.com and support the website. Whenever I see Aish's "consistently" utterly biased view on Poland despite numerous comments against, however, my heart gets hardened and saddened. Articles on Poland almost always carry some dose of hatred and resentment. No good news going on about Jews in Poland has EVER been highlighted; wonderful Jewish National Theater in Warsaw, Biggest Jewish Cultural Festivals in Europe, and the beautiful Museum of History of Polish Jews, recently built in the heart of former Warsaw Ghetto with major funding from Polish government, among others. I urge Aish.com staff to go through history again (It's not Poles but Nazis who killed Jews) and stop instigating division and hatred between two countries. I sincerely hope this website to be the instrument of unifying Poland and Israel. I also urge Poles to build more economically prosperous and stronger nation. Germany in Aish.com has never been despised because of its economic power.

(26)
kenny komodo,
July 23, 2013 6:48 PM

Poland Catholicism = anti Semitism

Thanks much to the teachings of the Catholic Church Poland has been a hotbed of anti Semitism for centuries. A few decades of Polish guilt, probably faked, after WWII means nothing in the light of 3.5 million Polish Jews murdered by the Germans and cheered by most Poles. Yes of course I know that there are hundreds of Poles who are known as "Righteous Among the Nations" but not enough,not enough. My own ancestry is Polish; my father was born in Kolameya which was part of Poland at the time. But to expect anything other then more antii Semitism from Poland is naïve.

(25)
Brenda Yablon,
July 23, 2013 6:15 PM

The Polish Leopard Doesn't Change Its Spots

The fact that Jews would want to live in Poland after World War II defies even the most tolerant of logical minds. As if the Holocaust didn't send a strong enough message, now the Polish government is saying that its cows are more important than its Jews. How much more of a wake up call do Polish Jews need?

(24)
Nicole,
July 23, 2013 6:11 PM

I agree with Anonymous 13 and with Michael Freud.Poland was anti-Semitic and remains anti- Semitic, nothing has changed since 73 years, since the war. Jewish people should not return to live in Poland, same as it was done for Spain times ago. We must fight anti-Semitism.

(23)
miriamwcohen,
July 23, 2013 5:40 PM

so what else is new

Check out the anti-semitism in Hungary, alive and well too.Not surprising at all; objection to Shechita is a coverup for the usual Polish feelings towards Jews. And now there are young Poles who are finding out that they are indeed Jews. Will they stay in Poland, will they convert, interesting twist no?

(22)
Tova Saul,
July 23, 2013 5:38 PM

The key question is whether shackle and hoist was involved

The article quotes Temple Grandin, who----although she is a fan of kosher slaughter-----was deeply horrified to see the travesty of kosher slaughter by hoisting steers up in the air by their hind legs for slaughter, rather than using a rotating pen. In any country which allows this-----for kosher or unkosher slaughter-----it should be banned. If the Jews in Poland were using rotating pens, then the kosher slaughter was more humane than any other method in Poland. I can't find anything online that addresses this question.

(21)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 5:30 PM

Don't jump to conclusions

European nations do not think th e same way we do. In some countries, animal rights are very, very important and will override even common sense.

(20)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 5:29 PM

Look for the deeper meaning

Rabbis teach that whenever you are affected by an evil decree, you need to look at yourself and figure out the message G-d is sending you through the current problem. So looking at this as a message from G-d, what could He be saying? We now have a home to go to, a Jewish state, and G-d has told us to go back to Israel when He calls us back. If Israel is a miracle from G-d, then it's time to go home. If Jews are too comfortable in the diaspora, G-d might make them not so comfortable. I think G-d is telling the Jews in Poland to come home. He will make it uncomfortable throughout the exile. So Jewish brothers & sisters, come home now.

(19)
Baruch Ben-Yosef,
July 23, 2013 5:12 PM

No surprise

What? "Sheer anti-Semitism" in Poland? Who can imagine such a thing? But, in truth - and please excuse my political incorrectness - the Polish goyim have been Jew-haters ever since their country was infected by Catholicism. So this episode should not be "bitterly ironic" to anyone. If fact, we should have expected it.

(18)
jgarbuz,
July 23, 2013 5:06 PM

As child of Polish Holocaust survivors, I don't care.

Poland is history to us. Poland was at one time good to Jews, and sometimes bad to Jews. Basically, it was no different than the majority of countries where Jews lived in exile. The Nazis built the death camps in Poland, not the Poles. Some collaborated; others saved Jews like my mother. Most of my family went up in smoke there. I don't care what Poland does. There is finally only one Jewish country today and that is the only one we Jews should concern ourselves with, and leave history alone already.

annie lass,
July 23, 2013 6:13 PM

history in Poland

I think jgarbuz should care. Rabid anti-semitism prevailed and still does in Poland. Only a very small minority protected Jews. There is a good reason why the Nazis built the death camps in Poland. My Grandmother's entire family perished. Even after WW2 Jews were still being cruelly and ruthlessly persecuted in Poland. Read 'Konin' by Theo Richmond.

Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 10:56 PM

Safety First

A word to the wise : SAFETY FIRST - Leave Poland to struggle for it's self. Let's go where we are WANTED. If I were 70yrs. younger, my first choice would be ISRAEL.

(17)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 5:04 PM

balance is needed

Of course, that is not good decision of Polish Parliament, but don't forget the last year hot discussion in Germany about the circumcision. And by the way, reminding about Holocaust must be also companied about other victims. Do we know how many Poles were killed through Nazis? No less.

Daniel,
July 24, 2013 5:50 AM

The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.

3.1 million Polish Jews and 2.0 million Polish Gentiles.

(16)
Juney Shapira,
July 23, 2013 4:40 PM

Misleading headline

This article has nothing to do with Jews being unwelcome in Poland. It has to do with the fact that shechita is unwelcome and let's face it there are enough animal welfare places that are against it (as they are against the way Muslims slaughter animals).

Saying that shechita is cruel, doesn't mean that Jews are cruel as they are unflicting unnecessary distress on an animal. It just means that there is a conflict in interest about which is the kindest way to slaughter an animal if it has to be done.

There are enough problems for Jews to face all over the world - we don't need to invent more.

anon,
July 23, 2013 5:51 PM

borrowing and extending a concept, without the precision and eloquence

A Rabbi commented that, recently, when Germany was concerned for the Jewish babies pain of circumcision, he found it odd, because he didn't recall their concern for Jewish blood in the 30's and 40's. Here too, the Poles are concerned for the cows suffering; Does anyone recall their concern for Jewish suffering in the 30's and 40's.

Juney Shapira,
July 25, 2013 10:26 AM

But using that logic, any country that has done wrong in the past (which means every country) can't do something right now because of the "well you weren't bothered about something else before" speech.
So no, I agree that the Poles weren't concerned about suffering 70 years ago. Does that mean they shouldn't be now or in the future?

Michael,
July 23, 2013 6:55 PM

When Jewish Practice is Unwelcome, Jews are Unwelcome.

Juney, I'm not sure I can agree with you. Observant Jews have requirements, and outlawing those is anti Jewish, Be it mandating working on Shabbat, requiring that I.D. be carried on Shabbat, whatever it is that goes against the needs of the observant, these would be things that work against allowing Jews to practice rituals and follow laws that are a part of their Judaism. Don't you think?

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 10:36 AM

I agree to a point

And if these requirements don't cause physical suffering to any other beings then I think they should be absolutely allowed to get on with it.
The slaughtering of animals is never pretty, but the laws in European countries try to at least make their slaughter as painless and as stress free as possible. This isn't just a ban on shechita.
As far as "when Jewish practice is unwelcome, Jews are unwelcome" is concerned, in Israel an Orthodox friend of mine went for a job and was told she would have to work on Shabbat and if she didn't, she would not get the job.Nobody yelled anti-semitism in that case.
But in general, yes I agree with you.

Rob,
July 23, 2013 7:07 PM

You may be in denial

Historically, eras of anti-Semitic persecution have begun with restrictions on ritual that makes Jewish living distinct form non-Jewish living, and with the demonization of Jews that includes elevating animals above Jews.
That is what is going on in Europe. Jews are safe, for a while, anyway, in Europe, as long as they don't look like Jews, live like Jews, or eat like Jews.
In Europe, the only good Jew is the assimilated Jew, it seems.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 10:44 AM

Not in denial

If it was only shechita that was banned, then I would agree with you, but it isn't.
I have a funny feeling that everyone who has replied to my post lives outside Europe.

Al Miller,
July 23, 2013 7:57 PM

Jews with blinders on.

You sound like the german Jews before the second world war. STUPID AND BLIND. In Poland there has not been a conflict of interest on how to treat Jews for centuries. When are Jews like you going to learn. Jews should not go to Poland or buy their products.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 10:38 AM

No need to insult me

I have a different opinion from you which does not make me stupid nor blind.

Anonymous,
July 26, 2013 9:30 AM

You might be right....

The only question why Poland is signing multimillion dollars contract with Israel to buy modern drones? It's working both way and obviously yourself is not living in Israel don't care for people who does. On your advice Israel should stop trading with all anti-Semites which is dependent on Jews attitude. You start calling names and expect kindness? You must be kidding. But that's where anti - Semites coming from. Do you reckon you have a right to behave like that only because you are Jew? Show some pride..

Nimrod,
July 23, 2013 11:44 PM

Hunting?

Does Poland allow hunting? Shooting,trapping animals, then following the blood spoor of the poor beast? OH, it's too hot or too cold to track and to finish the animal off, oops, better luck next time. Nothing like the compassion of Esau.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 10:49 AM

No idea about Polish hunting laws

But if they follow EU guidelines, then your idea of hunting would not be allowed. Where I live hunting is allowed but there are a million and one laws regulating it. There is certainly no hunting as a sport.

Rachel,
July 24, 2013 2:14 AM

I agree with your sentimentality

rachel,
July 24, 2013 6:25 AM

You must be unaware of the way the non Jews slaughter animals if you wrote the above. They electrocute them , shoot them etc ..in short, they make them go through hell of suffering until they die. Its not even a doubt if the Jewish way is the best way.
Their decision here is just anti Semitism.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 10:59 AM

I disagree

As I said before, animal slaughter is never pretty. I do know how non-Jews slaughter having worked on a farm - it was very, very quick - actually instant. It certainly didn't take them 10 to 30 seconds to lose consciousness as it does with shechita.
A difference of opinion on the best way doesn't automatically mean anti-semitism.

(15)
Henry,
July 23, 2013 4:34 PM

ritual slaughter prohibition in Poland

Ritual slaughter prohibition in Poland is a minor subject for the Polish Parliamment, seen from a Polish Jewish historical viewpoint it should never have been discussed let alone voted on. There is certain antisemitism behind the move, but it is wrong to infer that the prohibition implies Jews are no longer welcome as Polish citizens. It is not ritual slaughter that is or was the principal cause of antisemitism, so let us not get over excited about the ban , nor assume that religious freedom is so being restricted in Poland. In France and parts of Spain bull fighting has now been banned, and shechita is also banned in Switzerland for humanitarian reasons, but not hunting as a sport. It would have made sense if slaughter of animals had been banned,everywhere,, and we all become vegitarians.

(14)
Janusz,
July 23, 2013 4:29 PM

The article is wrong and manipulative

Shalom,

With all respect to Jews , your history and the Community. I do not think that comments like in an article above are needed, unless Jews community want to aggravate getting stronger relationship. That was a manipulative move to recall Poland as a Jews Holocaust place. Poles suffered from Nazi , too. Jews -Poles relationship was not always easy not only because of Poles but also because of broadly described Jews individuals working in Polish society after II World War hand in hand with communist. Also still many people of Jewish origins work in Poland in key business areas.I do not think that is wise to forgot about that for the reason that independent parliament in independent country decided not to make animals suffer more than necessary in industrial activity. Take it right: industrial not private for religious purposes. Nowadays Poland ask Jews for collaboration and equal opportunities, which were rare in relationships of Jews and other nations worldwide across ages . It's easy to make a harm when positive aspects of contemporary coexistence are obvious and apparent.

sincerely

Shalom

Janusz

Mike,
July 23, 2013 8:58 PM

I read the article, too

I read the subject article and saw that the "38 members of the ruling Civic Platform party voted against the government-sponsored bill, sending it -- and Poland itself -- down to an ignominious defeat". I read that scheta is still not legal. That
is a vote against the Jews of Poland. 38 members of the ruling "Civic Platform Party" search their souls, considered who voted for them, or who would not vote for them and said, effectively, to hell with the Jews, they don't vote for us, anyway. That,s what another notable Jew hater by the name of James Baker III said when he thought a microphone wasn't on. Well, my parents were both from Poland. My grandfather fought for Poland in WW-I, and my father fought for Poland in WW-II, He was betrayed as a Jew by his fellow soldiers when his unit was captured by the Nazis. He was then in various concentration camps and all over Europe as one of thousands cleaning up after Allied bombing raids. My mother was 16 when the Poles betrayed her and her family. My mother made ammunition as a slave of the Nazis. Yes, Poles suffered, Yes, Poles helped Jews, But NO, Jews did not betray benefit from Nazi occupation, collaboration, or direct the capture of Poles. And don't lecture us Jews about how we should behave to enhance good will and collaboration with you Poles, or be telling us that it was Jews that were communists; that is repugnant and should be to every Jew. Shalom. And go visit Yad Vashem. While you are in Eretz Yisrael, you might also learn a thing or two about how to turn a country and it's culture around so that it may prosper and be a technical, and scientific powerhouse for the good of this world that we all live in, under the same G-d and sun and moon.
Be well

Sandra,
July 24, 2013 12:19 AM

kosher slaughter humane, Poland not so

If Poland is really against cruelty to animals then why not ban all animal slaughter rather than single out a Jewish practice that came into being to ensure animals don't suffer when they are killed for food.

Adelle Miller,
July 24, 2013 1:31 AM

History tends to repeat itself

It's not that Poles- Jews relationship was not easy. If you read about history, Poles have persecuted, exiled and killed Jews (pogroms) before and even after World War II was over; Not to mentioned that they actively collaborated to send Jews to the gas chambers.
Besides their concern about reducing animal suffering is very strange giving that Shechita 's purpose is to avoid animal suffering.

(13)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 4:25 PM

My Mother Always Said...

My mother always said that the Pole's hatred of Jews is in his Polish mother's milk. I think she's right.

janusz,
July 23, 2013 6:31 PM

not right

My father told me that most what was Polish people experience of poverty for ages till nowadays was because of Jewish and Jewish hatred Poles. He is not right. The same is not right your mother (with all respect). If the biggest part of Jewish community share your point of view, the only place for Jews soon will be in Israel- which obviously is not welcome concept -at least not by me. In my mother's milk was no poison and you offended me, Anonymous.

Erin M,
July 24, 2013 5:39 AM

that's an amazingly

racist and simple-minded sentiment.

Anonymous,
July 25, 2013 11:02 AM

Agree with Janusz and Erin

And if anybody had said the same as anonymous about the Jews, the screams of "anti-semitism" would have been deafening.

(12)
Rachel,
July 23, 2013 4:14 PM

Petition Needed?

Is there one? If not, we need one - also, I posted this on my FB page, and wrote to the embassy in Ottawa.

(11)
john V,
July 23, 2013 4:08 PM

Europe's Punishment

Who was it who wrote that the Muslims are Europe's punishment for slaughtering its productive Jewish population. I wouldn't live there on a bet, don't even like visiting there anymore. My grandmother was born in Poland, my relatives died in Auschwitz.

(10)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 4:02 PM

hitler had millions of willing executioners.

the masses that slaughtered Jews and others were germans. why keep referring to these millions as nazis? not all, only a minority, were members of the party(sic).

(9)
SANDRINE,
July 23, 2013 4:01 PM

Sad in 2013

Sad in 2013 and with the "heritage" of Poland....But i'm sure , still Jews lives here because this is their Land.And we don't leave a country we love.Many Jews leaves Germany during the 2nd war, and now They come...because it's their roots too.Best regards;

(8)
Andrew,
July 23, 2013 3:55 PM

You know what's cruel.

I spoke to an Eastern European butcher/ slaughterer. He kills his pigs with a sledge hammer to the head. His cattle the same way or a bullet from a gun. Where's the government evolvement there?

(7)
Judah mizrahi,
July 23, 2013 3:52 PM

What are Jews doing in Poland it's a cursed country and people

U people amaze me u are so naive to believe these poles have changed the problem is Jewish people have such a need to be loved and accepted yes we are different chosen by Hashemi a nation of priests and holy people

(6)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2013 1:18 PM

Ritual Slaughter Law

Yes, this is clearly a reaction towards the overwhelmingly growing Muslim population in Europe. Nothing against the Jews - in fact, Poland has been more and more enthusiastic embracing her Jewish inheritance and cultural history in these recent years. It is sad that Jewish people feel this is a decision against them, but you have to understand that Islam with its demands is a serious issue in Europe.

It is not politically correct to say so, but the spread of Islam has brought many problems and ever increasing demands. Very soon, they will expect to have their own Sharia courts in every country. As we have seen in the UK, the Sharia lifestyle is not a helping hand, it's a way to further opress those Muslim women (and often men too) who have come to seek a better life. Ritual slaughter is just a part of a larger package.

Halal foods can still be imported to those countries that do not allow ritual slaughter. Just as kosher foods.

Betty,
July 23, 2013 4:32 PM

Polish laws vs. Jews

What nonsense to state that this is not against the Jews but really against the muslims. We as a people have been tempered by the fires of history to know the difference.

LM,
July 23, 2013 5:29 PM

Caution is needed

Take Denmark, for example. There are entire neighborhoods where a white-skinned person cannot enter - only North Africans and Middle easterners... Riots and gangs. There have been incidents of attacks on synagogues and other Jewish properties by these members of 'religion of peace',
So I am not surprised that some countries try to put some limits on Muslim activities. That doesn't mean all of them are rioters or fundamentalists but sadly, there are enough of those who would like to use intimidation and violence to gain their agenda. Just like in the MidEast.
It may well be Europe is now reaping the fruits of the crimes it committed in WWII. The challenge of Islam and its everyday aspects is not going to disappear.

hrothgar,
July 23, 2013 5:14 PM

I agree with you;in fact I was about to write the same thing. This is not an attack on the Jews but a reaction to the ever growing threat of islamification of Europe. The trouble is that under the crazy so called human rights acts of the EU if a country wants to ban Islamic ritual slaughter of animals,a process not that kind to the creatures, they will have to ban all ritual slaughter or face human rights action and discrimination charges.The European leaders are behaving more and more as the leaders of the Christian nations of old who found themselves living as dhimmis in their conquered lands;they try hard to placate Islam,praise it,accomodate it,attack Israel (verbally) for it.This is all in the hope that Islam will not deal harshly with them. There are also vested interests involved,oil,trade and the fear of "Jihad". It won't work of course and as the Christian nations of old found to their cost that co-operation led to their near oblivion. This happened in Lebanon where the Christian church,instead of remembering their dhimmi suffering and strengthening their resistance and fellow suffering with the Jews,thought they could find peace and salvation through adopting the Arab nationalist position,thinking that if they could be considered as Arabs their persecution from Islam would end. They aligned themselves against Israel to placate their Islamic tormentors. It failed of course and now they are in a worse position than ever. Western leaders are in the same boat,fearing the ever growing influence of Islam but not knowing how to stop it ,they try to placate them by turning on Israel. It won't work;don't be too hard on Poland,they too are in a hard place.

(5)
Lisa,
July 23, 2013 1:16 PM

Good Morning!! This is a wake up call......

Hello....it's just another nudge to get out!! Why should they " be nice" to us?? Lets go back about 70 years.....lets learn from history....not fight it!!

(4)
Jay,
July 23, 2013 9:02 AM

...sends a message loud and clear: 'Jews are not wanted here'...

I thought the murder of 3 million Jews in the Holocaust sent this message loud and clear already. How any Jew could want to remain in a country whose soil is drenched with Jewish blood and with a centuries-old history of anti-semitism is beyond me..

(3)
Ray Saperstein,
July 22, 2013 4:25 PM

A reply from the Polish Embassy in Washington

I sent an e-mail to the Polish embassy and this is the response I got:

Dear Sir,The July 12th vote in the Sejm (the lower House) pertaining to ritual slaughter is the sovereign decision of the constitutional legislative body. It is not the custom of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to comment on matters of legislation.However, we are aware of comments – also from abroad – implying as if current law in Poland does not respect the right of minorities, relative to their specific customs in regard to ritual slaughter. We don’t agree with this assumption.Among recently presented legal opinion there is a dominant view, that such slaughter – for the needs of followers of Judaism and Islam – is permitted. We share this opinion. It is also important to emphasize that the sovereign decision of the lower House on July 12th, does not directly affect the right to religious freedom and practice of Polish citizens. We believe that Polish law does give the Jewish population the ability to practice Shechita, slaughter as described in Jewish law and tradition, in accordance with the Act of February 20th, 1997, regulating relations between the state and Jewish religious communities within the Republic of Poland. Specifically, Article 9 section 2 of this Act ascertains that Jewish religious communities “care for the provision of kosher foods […] as well as ritual slaughter.” Moreover, the Constitution of the Republic of Poland guarantees the freedom of conscience and religion, while providing the freedom to participate in the practice and rituals of religion. Ritual slaughter is this sort of religious practice.Poland will continue to support, both logistically and financially, its religious minorities, just as it has done thus far.The vote of the Polish Parliament does not change in the slightest way the very good relations Poland has with Israel, the Jewish diaspora worldwide, and the Muslim community.Kind regards, Michał Doliński, Press OfficerEmbassy of Poland

Anonymous,
July 24, 2013 10:22 PM

RE:A reply from the Polish Embassy in Washington

Does this mean that the official position of the Polish Government is that the new law prohibiting SHECHITA applies to all those, who do not practice it anyway, but, does not apply to those, who do practice SHECHITA? And does the Polish Government regard the Muslim practice of HALAL slaughter as synonymous with SHECHITA?

(2)
Yaakov P.,
July 22, 2013 6:29 AM

Need more information on this article so it is not so one sided

Hello everyone,
Note that Jews are not the only ones practicing shechita in Europe. Muslims practices are similar, and the Muslim population is much larger, and more visible than the Jewish population.
My guess is that in an attempt to prevent Muslims from performing their ritual slaughter, Jews get prevented from their ritual slaughter. Same goes for circumcision.
Europe is changing very quickly, and these are attempts to slow down this quick change. The Europeans get 2 for 1 with these types of laws. Unfortunately, Jews suffer with these laws as well.
Best regards,
Yaakov

(1)
Anonymous,
July 22, 2013 6:01 AM

first country...

I totally agree that it is upsetting that Poland wants to forbid shechita. But the truth is that Germany doesn't allow it either, nor do many other countries in Europe. Which is a sign that the whole publicity against Poland is a farce, and yes, it is sheer anti-semitism. We have to get used to it and be aware of it constantly. We have to remember that we are in golus and that the only One we can relie on is H"M.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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